The Salvation Army affirms the liberty of God the Holy Spirit to call men and women of all ages into the Christian ministry. The Army recognizes that some salvationists will receive a vocation to full-time service in The Salvation Army when prevented by circumstances or policy from entering officer training. Provision is therefore made where such vocations may be recognized and those so called may be warranted to auxiliary officership to the enrichment of The Salvation Army and the glory of God.
(a) Definition of an Auxiliary-Captain
- An auxiliary-captain is a salvationist who, believing him/herself called to full-time service in The Salvation Army, but prevented by circumstances from entering full-time, residential officer-training, volunteers to meet specific conditions for appointment to spiritual and administrative responsibility and has been accepted for such service. See section c below for more information on conditions for acceptance.
- The warranting and appointment of an auxiliary-captain is upon the approval of the Territorial Commander and the recommendation of the Territorial Candidates’ Council.
- An auxiliary-captain is authorized by his/her Territorial Commander to fulfill all duties usually undertaken by a commissioned officer. Auxiliary-captains receive appointments in accordance with the normal procedure for all officers.
- The auxiliary-captain is a non-commissioned officer. As such he/she is warranted to that designation rather than being commissioned to officership. As a non-commissioned officer, he/she will perform the duties related to their appointment under the direction of the Divisional Commander, Department Head or their representatives. Auxilary-captains will be commissioned upon completion of the criteria for officer training (see ‘section d’ for more information).
- Applicants are to be prepared to forego all other occupations and accept total involvement in any branch of Salvation Army service to which they may be appointed.
(b) Training Program
- The training period may vary in length as opposed to being limited to a two year course of study and practice. As a result, auxiliary-captains are not assigned to a specific cadet session until their commissioning date is determined. Training should be completed within a five year period.
- Regardless of prior formal learning, all Salvation Army distinctives courses, including spiritual formation, are completed through CFOT.
- The training plan will include an introduction to officership course, Salvation Army distinctive courses taught by CFOT, biblical and ministry courses taught by approved colleges & universities, field training projects and other flexible training faciliated by the Division & CFOT. See the chart below for a more detailed outline of the training program:
- Auxiliary-captains will normally attend three residential modules of two to three weeks each (normally in May), in Winnipeg. During each three week module, two intensive courses will be offered. The first week will be used for spiritual formation, research and study time, interviews and assessment; etc.
(c) Acceptance: The following conditions and provisions are applicable to all persons serving as auxiliary-captains:
- Salvation Army soldiers in good standing for at least two years prior to the date of application.
- Posess at least a high school graduation diploma with academic transcripts or a transcript of studies (minimum of two) taken at an accredited post-secondary institution which displays an acceptable academic competence.
- Applicants should be not less than 48 years of age, and no more than 59 years of age. This honours the international regulation that applicants give not less than five years of service prior to retirement. Where both spouses are serving as auxiliary-captains, the couple may choose a date on which they will jointly retire. The retirement date would need to allow for at least 5 years of service for both auxiliary-captains, be no earlier than the 65th birthday of the older spouse, and no later than the 65th birthday of the younger spouse.
(d) Completion of Program and Commissioning: Orders and Regulations for Officers of The Salvation Army makes provision for auxiliary-captains who meet certain criteria to be ordained and commissioned. The conditions are as follows:
- To be within the prescribed territorial age bracket for commissioning as an officer.
- To have met the conditions of acceptance for commissioned officership.
- To have attained the Certificate of Salvation Army Officer Training.
- To have completed seven years of service as an auxiliary-captain.
- If fewer than seven years have been served as auxiliary-captain, commissioning will be to the rank of lieutenant, provided that the auxiliary-captain has served a minimum of two years and has completed the training requirements. Promotion to the rank of captain will be given upon the completion of an aggregate of seven years service as auxiliary-captain and lieutenant.
We trust that the above information has been helpful. If you still have further questions or are interested in become an auxiliary-captain, please speak to your corps officer.
There are currently 2 cohorts of auxiliary-captains in training. Click on the photos below you will be able to see individual pictures and profiles.
Cohort 2
Cohort 3
Note: Auxiliary-captains do not have a sessional name like cadets, though they will be commissioned with a future cadet session upon completion of studies and confirmation of officership. The term ‘cohort’ is used to describe various groups of auxiliary-captains who have been begun training in the same year.
To learn more about our other training models, simply click on the highlighted titles below:
- Full Time Residential Training: Cadets train on site, in Winnipeg, for two years with occasional variations depending on their prior learning.
- Auxiliary-Captain Training: Training is completed in approximately five years, while assuming the responsibilities for an appointment.
- Field-Based Tailored Training: Cadets with significant prior learning and ministry competance train at a Salvation Army ministry unit rather than at CFOT.
If you have further questions about officer training or any of the informatin on this website please leave us a comment and we will do our best to get back to you. To leave a comment or ask us a question please Click here.
